{"id":746233,"date":"2026-08-22T14:16:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T14:16:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/746233\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T14:16:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T14:16:11","slug":"perfect-for-kids-the-best-and-worst-supermarket-ketchup-tested-and-rated-sauces-and-gravies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/746233\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Perfect for kids\u2019: the best (and worst) supermarket ketchup, tested and rated | Sauces and gravies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">I was that kid who put ketchup on everything, from fries to french toast, and if my parents wanted me to eat vegetables, they\u2019d have to cover them in the stuff (the sugar cravings of my youth have subsided, but I still love ketchup mixed into peas). So I was pleasantly surprised by this test group, because even the most economical sauces performed well.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Tomato content varied greatly (though not always in line with price), with the most tomato-heavy products containing almost twice as much fruit as the least. This information is presented in two ways: the first is the amount of raw tomato used before the sauce is cooked down into puree (more than 200g per 100g of finished product is high, less than 150g is low); the second is a straight percentage of tomato puree used, which is a more transparent measure (above 50% is high, while less than that I\u2019d consider low, so check the label if you want more fruit in your sauce). Products made with fewer tomatoes are sometimes thickened with modified maize starch. I\u2019ve also listed the total sugar content.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Ultimately, every product did \u201cwhat it says on the tin\u201d, and while not necessarily delicious straight from the spoon, all were great with chips. Some of the top-end sauces suit a more mature palate, with a richer, spiced flavour, but they still have that classic burst of umami-sweet-sour tang.<\/p>\n<p>The best supermarket tomato ketchupsBest overall:<br \/>Rubies in the Rubble Ketchup but Gooder<a rel=\"sponsored noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\u00a33 for 485g at Tesco (62p\/100g) (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com\/?id=114047X1572903&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tesco.com%2Fshop%2Fen-GB%2Fproducts%2F313944887&amp;sref=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/thefilter\/2026\/aug\/22\/best-supermarket-ketchup-tested-rated\" data-component=\"in-body-product-link-button\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" data-link-name=\"product link button primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-x-cust-component-id=\"product-link-block\" class=\"dcr-1g18dov\">\u00a33 for 485g at Tesco (62p\/100g)<\/a><a rel=\"sponsored noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\u00a33.30 for 485g at Ocado (68p\/100g) (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ocado.com\/products\/rubies-in-the-rubble-tomato-ketchup-squeezy\/581804011\" data-component=\"in-body-product-link-button\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" data-link-name=\"product link button primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-x-cust-component-id=\"product-link-block\" class=\"dcr-1g18dov\">\u00a33.30 for 485g at Ocado (68p\/100g)<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A squeezy bottle of vivid red sauce with a sweet and complex aroma. Contains a high percentage of fruit \u2013 242g per 100g (tomatoes, plus surplus pears\/apples) \u2013 which adds sweetness and a fruity depth layered with spice. Contains the preservative potassium sorbate and 20% total sugars.<\/p>\n<p>Best bargain:<br \/>Bramwells Original tomato ketchup<a rel=\"sponsored noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"89p for 550g at Aldi (16p\/100g), in store only (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aldi.co.uk\/product\/bramwells-tomato-ketchup-000000000000575453\" data-component=\"in-body-product-link-button\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" data-link-name=\"product link button primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-x-cust-component-id=\"product-link-block\" class=\"dcr-1g18dov\">89p for 550g at Aldi (16p\/100g), in store only<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A squeezy bottle of thin and smooth puree, with a classic, inoffensive and unremarkable flavour profile (sweet-sour, tomato), making it perfect for kids. A simple, additive-free formula with 16.4% total sugars.<\/p>\n<p>And the rest \u2026Co-op On the Side tomato ketchup<a rel=\"sponsored noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"89p for 550g at Co-op (16p\/100g) (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coop.co.uk\/products\/co-op-tomato-ketchup-550g\" data-component=\"in-body-product-link-button\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" data-link-name=\"product link button primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-x-cust-component-id=\"product-link-block\" class=\"dcr-1g18dov\">89p for 550g at Co-op (16p\/100g)<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A squeezy bottle of thick, deep red sauce that\u2019s sharp on the nose but with a tempting, savoury aroma. Sweet and easy on the palate, too, with a slightly higher total sugar content of 22% and a ratio of 167g tomatoes per 100g sauce. Contains modified maize starch.<\/p>\n<p>Sainsbury\u2019s So Organic tomato ketchup<a rel=\"sponsored noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\u00a32.10 for 460g at Sainsbury\u2019s (46p\/100g) (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com\/?id=114047X1572903&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sainsburys.co.uk%2Fgol-ui%2Fproduct%2Fsainsburys-tomato-ketchup-sauce-so-organic-460g&amp;sref=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/thefilter\/2026\/aug\/22\/best-supermarket-ketchup-tested-rated\" data-component=\"in-body-product-link-button\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" data-link-name=\"product link button primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-x-cust-component-id=\"product-link-block\" class=\"dcr-1g18dov\">\u00a32.10 for 460g at Sainsbury\u2019s (46p\/100g)<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A squeezy bottle with a clean tomato puree aroma, rich colour and that classic, sharp-yet-sweet umami flavour. Total sugars stand at 20.9%, plus, at 38%, a relatively low percentage of tomato puree. Certified organic.<\/p>\n<p>Mr Organic Italian organic tomato ketchup<a rel=\"sponsored noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\u00a33.75 for 480g at Ocado (78p\/100g) (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ocado.com\/products\/mr-organic-tomato-ketchup\/73558011\" data-component=\"in-body-product-link-button\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" data-link-name=\"product link button primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-x-cust-component-id=\"product-link-block\" class=\"dcr-1g18dov\">\u00a33.75 for 480g at Ocado (78p\/100g)<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A glass bottle of very thick, smooth ketchup with the comforting and uncomplicated aroma of cooked tomatoes. Lively on the tongue yet classic and simply flavoured, with a dominant sweet-and-sour tomato flavour. A high percentage (80%) of tomato, too, and 16% total sugars.<\/p>\n<p><a data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" href=\"#EmailSignup-skip-link-38\" class=\"dcr-76akua\">skip past newsletter promotion<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-vf9hps\">Sign up to The Filter<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1r7my33\">Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/379.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-xiq31o\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"EmailSignup-skip-link-38\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"after newsletter promotion\" role=\"note\" class=\"dcr-76akua\">after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n<p>M&amp;S Only 8 Ingredients tomato ketchup<a rel=\"sponsored noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\u00a32.50 for 250ml at Ocado (\u00a31\/100ml) (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ocado.com\/products\/m-s-only-8-ingredients-tomato-ketchup\/678754011\" data-component=\"in-body-product-link-button\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" data-link-name=\"product link button primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-x-cust-component-id=\"product-link-block\" class=\"dcr-1g18dov\">\u00a32.50 for 250ml at Ocado (\u00a31\/100ml)<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A thick puree with a little separation that\u2019s sharp and lively on the palate with a subtle, spicy complexity. The sweetest sauce in the test, with 23.9% total sugars (it\u2019s sweetened with agave syrup). It also has a high tomato content, with 281g of tomatoes per 100g.<\/p>\n<p>Heinz tomato ketchup<a rel=\"sponsored noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\u00a33.30 for 460g at Morrisons (72p\/100g) (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com\/?id=114047X1572903&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroceries.morrisons.com%2Fproducts%2Fheinz-tomato-ketchup-460g%2F100379193&amp;sref=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/thefilter\/2026\/aug\/22\/best-supermarket-ketchup-tested-rated\" data-component=\"in-body-product-link-button\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" data-link-name=\"product link button primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-x-cust-component-id=\"product-link-block\" class=\"dcr-1g18dov\">\u00a33.30 for 460g at Morrisons (72p\/100g)<\/a><a rel=\"sponsored noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\u00a33.30 for 460g at Tesco (72p\/100g) (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com\/?id=114047X1572903&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tesco.com%2Fshop%2Fen-GB%2Fproducts%2F250167878&amp;sref=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/thefilter\/2026\/aug\/22\/best-supermarket-ketchup-tested-rated\" data-component=\"in-body-product-link-button\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" data-link-name=\"product link button primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-x-cust-component-id=\"product-link-block\" class=\"dcr-1g18dov\">\u00a33.30 for 460g at Tesco (72p\/100g)<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The classic, fire-brick-red ketchup is a thick yet very smooth puree with a spiced, acidic, tomatoey aroma. Candy-sweet with a sour twang and good depth, but with 22.8% total sugars and a low 148g of tomatoes per 100g sauce. A simple, additive-free formula, though.<\/p>\n<p>Essential Waitrose &amp; Partners tomato ketchup<a rel=\"sponsored noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\u00a31 for 470g at Waitrose (21p\/100g) (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com\/?id=114047X1572903&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waitrose.com%2Fecom%2Fproducts%2Fessential-tomato-ketchup%2F097580-49819-49820&amp;sref=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/thefilter\/2026\/aug\/22\/best-supermarket-ketchup-tested-rated\" data-component=\"in-body-product-link-button\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" data-link-name=\"product link button primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-x-cust-component-id=\"product-link-block\" class=\"dcr-1g18dov\">\u00a31 for 470g at Waitrose (21p\/100g)<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A squeezy bottle with a thick, mousse-like texture, a classic sweet taste, and a clear sharpness. At 75%, a high percentage of tomato puree. Contains modified maize starch and 21.5% total sugars.<\/p>\n<p>Asda Classic tomato ketchup<a rel=\"sponsored noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\u00a31.13 for 550g at Asda (21p\/100g) (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com\/?id=114047X1572903&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asda.com%2Fgroceries%2Fproduct%2F9058725&amp;sref=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/thefilter\/2026\/aug\/22\/best-supermarket-ketchup-tested-rated\" data-component=\"in-body-product-link-button\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" data-link-name=\"product link button primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-x-cust-component-id=\"product-link-block\" class=\"dcr-1g18dov\">\u00a31.13 for 550g at Asda (21p\/100g)<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A squeezy bottle of Venetian-red, perfectly smooth and thick puree. A mousse-like texture and a plain, sweet-forward flavour with that classic sour twang. Sugar is at 21%, and the tomato ratio is on the low side (148g per 100g ketchup). Contains modified maize starch.<\/p>\n<p>Tesco tomato ketchup<a rel=\"sponsored noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\u00a31.15 for 555g at Tesco (21p\/100g) (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com\/?id=114047X1572903&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tesco.com%2Fshop%2Fen-GB%2Fproducts%2F305834749&amp;sref=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/thefilter\/2026\/aug\/22\/best-supermarket-ketchup-tested-rated\" data-component=\"in-body-product-link-button\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" data-link-name=\"product link button primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-x-cust-component-id=\"product-link-block\" class=\"dcr-1g18dov\">\u00a31.15 for 555g at Tesco (21p\/100g)<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Sweet on the nose, with a thin consistency and a slimy texture from the modified maize starch. Low in total sugars (17.9%), while 148g tomatoes per 100g sauce is also on the low side.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">For more, read the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/thefilter\/2025\/jun\/07\/best-supermarket-mayonnaise-tom-hunt\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">best supermarket mayonnaise<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/thefilter\/2025\/oct\/11\/best-supermarket-english-mustard-taste-test\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">best supermarket English mustard<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I was that kid who put ketchup on everything, from fries to french toast, and if my parents&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":746234,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[84,59,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-746233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","tag-business","tag-gb","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/746233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=746233"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/746233\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/746234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=746233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=746233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=746233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}